Hoosiers have donated more than 408,000 minutes since collection first began

(Landstuhl Regional Air Force Base, Germany) - Hoosier hospitality is often on display through the mail and over the phone - but it's always better in person. This weekend, Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita delivered the last package of prepaid phone cards donated by Hoosiers across the state to wounded U.S. troops in Germany. Secretary Rokita was on the other side of the country in Munich, addressing a Summit as NASS President and Indiana Secretary of State, discussing ways to help the troops vote while serving overseas. He then traveled to Landsthul Regional Medical Center at Ramstein U.S. Airforce Base to personally deliver the final batch of over 408,000 donated phone card minutes.

“From the time we first mentioned the need for phone cards for wounded troops at Landstuhl, my office witnessed an outpouring of support from Hoosiers who collected and sent thousands of phone cards,” said Secretary Rokita. “I was honored to deliver the last shipment of phone cards to troops at Landstuhl while in Germany last week.”

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center serves as the primary medical evacuation destination for U.S. troops participating in Iraq and Afghanistan military operations. When Secretary Rokita toured the facility in 2007, he discovered that the military requires domestic phone cards for outgoing calls due to the hospitals phone system configuration. The need for phone cards was publicized throughout Indiana, and Hoosiers started donating phone cards by the thousands. To date, more than 408,000 prepaid domestic calling card minutes have been delivered to troops at Landstuhl.

“As Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, I believe it is important that members of our uniformed services who are overseas, whether wounded or active, know what options are available to them in order to participate in the upcoming primary and general elections,” said Secretary Rokita.

While at the Overseas Vote Foundation’s Second Annual Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voting Act (UOCAVA) Summit, Secretary Rokita led discussions related to voting issues and the UOCAVA. New technologies served as key elements of discussion. Other topics that were discussed include UOCAVA participation in caucuses, ballot-counting issues, voter confidence, state deadlines and proposed federal and state legislation.

"We thank Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita for taking such an interest in this process, and for making a personal effort to provide information and assistance to our Soldiers and Airmen deployed all over the world,” remarked the adjutant general of Indiana’s National Guard, Major General R. Martin Umbarger.

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PICTURED: Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita presenting phone cards to a member of the U.S. Armed Services being treated at Landsthul Regional Medical Center at Ramstein U.S. Airforce Base in Germany.